Errors when I change a datatype "Number" field to decimal format

[jen_biologist]

I am trying to change several number datatype fields on one of my access
forms (and associated table) to a decimal format, so that I can enter numbers
with 2 decimal places. I open the table in "Design view" and select the
field I want to format. Under the general tab, I set the "field size" to
Decimal, "Scale" to 2, and "decimal places" to 2. When I try to save these
changes on the table, I get an error message 3190 saying: "Too many fields
defined" "you tried to perform an operation that involves more than 255
fields. Reduce the number of fields then try the operation again." Then:
"errors were encountered during the save operation and data types were not
changes." This happens whether I try to change only 1 field at a time, or
several. I get the same error when I try to change the Field's datatype to
"currency", and set the format to standard and dec. places to 2, and again,
it won't save my changes. I am a beginning Access user and did not
create/design the database I am using - just trying to enter my data. Thanks
a lot!

 

[John Vinson]

I am trying to change several number datatype fields on one of my access
forms (and associated table) to a decimal format, so that I can enter numbers
with 2 decimal places. I open the table in "Design view" and select the
field I want to format. Under the general tab, I set the "field size" to
Decimal, "Scale" to 2, and "decimal places" to 2. When I try to save these
changes on the table, I get an error message 3190 saying: "Too many fields
defined" "you tried to perform an operation that involves more than 255
fields. Reduce the number of fields then try the operation again." Then:
"errors were encountered during the save operation and data types were not
changes." This happens whether I try to change only 1 field at a time, or
several. I get the same error when I try to change the Field's datatype to
"currency", and set the format to standard and dec. places to 2, and again,
it won't save my changes. I am a beginning Access user and did not
create/design the database I am using - just trying to enter my data. Thanks
a lot!

You're limited to 255 fields in a table - but every time you CHANGE
the design of a field, it uses up one of the 255 "slots". Try using
Tools... Database Utilities... Compact and Repair Database (which
should be standard routine maintenance, done right after making a
backup, in any case). This will recover all the "slots".

Note that if your table is even anywhere CLOSE to 255 fields - over 60
say - then you probably have not properly normalized your table
design, and need to consider making it into several tables. If you
have fields named January, February, March or Item1, Item2, Item3 then
you have one-to-many relationships embedded in each record, and need
to restructure.

John W. Vinson[MVP]